Welcome to Litsy!

A heartwarming true story about a young African man who wanted an education, and the friendship he developed with an American girl. The friendship began with a school pen pal program and continues today. #bookbinge #immigrantmc

This YA book is a page turning true story about an American girl and an African boy that became pen pals and how through those letters both of their world views not only expanded immensely but their lives changed forever.

Every teenager should read this! ✍️

I just finished this book with tears in my eyes. This is a true story of the two people in the photo who met through a school pen pal program. Caitlin was 12,living in a Philadelphia suburb, and Martin was 14, living in a poor village in Zimbabwe. It is a YA book. Simple writing. An uplifting story of kindness and determination. A testament to the good in our world. They remain friends. #readingafrica2022 #zimbabwe

Currently reading. #readingafrica2022 #zimbabwe

Loved this book. It all began with a letter to a pen pal.

My first #TBR list of the new year! The first 12 books are from an additional challenge of reading 1 book per month that was recommended to you by friends. The rest are books I checked out from the library or received as gifts over the holidays. Pretty good pile if I say so myself!
#bookspin #bookspinbingo

I really enjoyed this one. It's a super easy read with a fantastic message about kindness and how 1 small act can change lives. There were times while reading this that I got a little chocked up and I found myself what I can do to make a difference, even if its a all one. "Kindness is contagious. It changes lives. It changed mine. What will it do for you?" - Caitlin Alifirenka

Fell off the reading wagon for a little bit. I guess that happens when you are working so hard on opening a business! Now that we're open I have a little more time and it's time to catch up on my goal. I still have time to complete 24 books this year right?!? So far this book is very intriguing, hope to finish it in the next 4 days

This book came very highly recommended in a pen pal group I belong to so I thought I'd give it a go. Have you read it? I'll keep you posted on my thoughts

Libby estimates this is how long it will take me to finish this book 🤨

So I‘m about 2200 miles from home (my husband, my frenchies, my beardie, sunshine!) on this nursing contract in the middle of social isolation and just super lonely. Just set up a PO Box (will be here till end of June) if anyone wants to write I promise I‘ll write back ❤️ #IsolationInteractions #socialdistance #ihatesnow #homesick

I got through this book in four days and loved it. It made my cry so many times at how touching and emotional things were for Martin. It gives a profound description of what life is truly like in poverty stricken countries such as Africa. Definitely read this book, you'll love it.

For the first time in years I'm reading two books at the same time... A bit different to my usual material but oh my god. I love love love this book. Absolutely read this book!

Putting things back in perspective. #bookndinner

This book was charming! I really enjoyed the story of these two kids (kids when they met) and their friendship blossoming as they grew up. It was beautiful to read and reminds me of my trip to Rwanda where I spent 2 weeks in an orphanage there.

Working on my first square of my #winterbingo I just hope I have time to read 25 books before winter ends! Wish me luck!!

Beginning my bingo with a book with a white cover! It‘s mostly white and I‘m excited to start my little bingo challenge!! Hope a few of you join me! #winterbingo #winterreading #challenge #winterbreak

Wow! What a great book! This is the true story of Caitlin and Martin, who became pen pals in middle school, and how that first letter led to a life-changing friendship.

We started the next book at my job‘s accidental book club. This time me and a co-worker both bought the same book on the same day by coincidence.

I loved this book of two international pen pals that forged a friendship so strong that they became like family. Important to note: don‘t ever look down on someone who has less than you or comes from deep poverty. Everyone deserves a chance to become the best they can.

I have been a horrible penpal and I apologize to my #poutinepenpals and #litsylove groups for being such a slacker 😔 So my goal for this week is to FINALLY make a dent in the pile of wonderful cards, letters and postcards I have received over the last many months. I‘m determined that not even slicing my pinkie finger over the weekend making cabbage salad is going to stop me. LET‘S DO THIS!!! 💌

I started this last night. I wish we‘d done pen pals from other countries in school!

To everyone I owe a letter, please know I‘m truly sorry I haven‘t responded yet. I feel like the summer got away from me as I‘ve been trying to work on my health and prepping for busy season at work.

Thank you for your kindness and for the community we build here. ❤️

This was such a great book. It took a chapter or two to adjust to Catelyn‘s voice but it was well worth it! Makes me miss having pen pals and handwriting letters myself.

This audiobook is so sweet & shows the true meaning of selflessness. Caitlin & Martin are 7th grade penpals & share their lives over almost a decade of letters. Caitlin learns what true poverty & gratitude looks like and Martin finds a real friend. This is a perfect young YA, & will give readers a glimpse into the difficulties that plague those in 3rd world countries. We're often aware of the situation, but this story humanizes the issues.

This type of story usually isn‘t my style, but this book was so amazing. It was heart wrenching and heart warming. It had me laughing and crying. Solid 5/5. The narration even makes me like audiobooks a little more.

Dogs, yarn, and audio books. 😍

Trying something new for me... hopefully it keeps me entertained while knitting something for my #summersantagoespostal swap partner. 🧶😍

This book motivates on so many levels and I really enjoyed listening to it on audio book. I‘ve told my oldest nephew about it. Like Caitlin he is a privileged American youth who takes eduction for granted. Even though I was an honor student throughout high school I too took education for granted and here is this boy Martin who knew that eduction was the only ticket for his family to have a better life. I‘m also motivated to be a better pen pal!

I've been reading a lot more since my laptop won't boot up anymore, but I inhaled this book. The beginning made me want to me want to bail because Caitlin was such a yawnfest. Then I read about Martin. Wholesome and touching.

#ya #nonfiction #LitsyAtoZ #I

I am not usually a nonfiction reader, but I absolutely loved this tale of pen pals that turned into family. I commend both Caitlin's family for their large hearts and to Martin's family for their support towards his dreams. I was captivated by their story and read their tale within a few hours. I also enjoyed watching them develop as both their individual selves and their views on the world.

10/10

Such a heartwarming read! Really goes to show that friendship knows no boundaries ❤️ Great read if you're looking for something positive today ☺️

I had a lot of pen pals growing up, so this book really appealed to me. When Caitlin, a 13-year-old from Pennsylvania is paired up with 13-year-old Martin from Zimbabwe, neither of them realizes how their correspondence will change the other‘s life. This book is so hopeful and eye-opening and there may have been tears. Super quick read because I couldn‘t put it down.

This is a love letter to letter writing, to the power of friendship, and most of all to love that is greater than any geographical distance, cultural differences, or political division. A true story of two people who became best friends through letter writing and just happened to live on different continents in vastly different circumstances. All they wanted was to be there for each other. Their unwavering friendship is so uplifting. 🌍💌

After a really crazy week of work and life blowing up all at once, I‘ve decided to take a weekend staycation and that means getting away from my usual routine, including reading. This book was not on my TBR, but it looks like a really intriguing true story so I‘m doing a weekend binge read. Here I go!

I had a pen pal many years ago, and I was one of those people that it didn‘t last more than one letter... this is sooo cool! However, I would have fully thought it was a scam when he kept asking for money... Life has warped my brain to second guess all things..

I don‘t normally like nonfiction, but this book was so well written I couldn‘t put it down! This story of friendship and kindness is told in a narrative format that is compelling and intriguing. The kindness these two people show is incredible and the story will make you think more about what you can do to help others.
I actually had the privilege of meeting the two wonderful authors and their kindness is inspiring.
#yalit #nonfiction #kindness

I'm keeping stats at the junior high basketball game tonight but I've brought my book just in case I have a free minute or two.

So far, my favorite read in 2017. Published in 2015 about a pen pal friendship started in 1997. Martin is in Mutare, Zimbabwe, and Caitlin is in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, USA. Very different lives, same kind hearts. Appreciate the life you have, make life better for those around you. Thankful that I got to read about the incredible friendship Martin & Caitlin share.

An excellent and engaging read! Perfect for middle school students and higher. Makes me want to go out and get a pen pal! Makes me want to go to Zimbabwe and roll up my sleeves and help. Makes me want to hire a better editor for these two young authors - seriously, there were so many typos that I wanted to scream. A shining, positive example of one person helping another and the snowball effect it created.

My cat Splash loves this book and is thinking about what he just read😛

Loving this book so far! Makes it even more awesome that we are having Litsy pen pals! #debsstack

Yaaass!! I made it this round 🙌🏻🙌🏻 #litsypenpals

In the days since I finished this book, I've found myself recommending it to everyone I meet. Such a moving and inspiring story of perseverance, kindness, and friendship. When two young people from different sides of the globe begin writing to each other for a school project, they create a bond that transforms both their lives. If you're feeling down, this one will pick you up.

#summerstack #splashintosummerreads

Makes me want to help!

In this epistolary memoir, Caitlin & Martin become pen pals & write to one another for 6 years, from America to Zimbabwe & back again. They grow up together, though they live on different continents. Caitlin fuels Martin's dreams for a better life, & Martin helps her understand poverty & need in a deep way.

Despite its length, this book reads FAST. It got overly religious at times, but ultimately, I happy-cried so much that my face feels funny.

"My father let out a deep sigh. It filled our small hut and escaped out the door, taking so much tension with it, as if he'd been holding his breath for weeks."

Art cred: Betsy McCall